Hafasu Tiankeng formed when the ceiling of a cave above the Aouk Underground River collapsed. Later river found a new course – also under the ground – further to the north and Hafasu Tiankeng now is not traversed by the river anymore. Two passages lead to the Aouk Underground River from Hafasu Tiankeng – Wor’n Su towards the north-west and Bocca del Mostro (the monster’s mouth) – towards north-east.
Hafasu Tiankeng is some 800 m long and some 250 m wide, its walls are some 100 m high. Area of the sinkhole is approximately 142,000 m2, volume – approximately 12 – 15 million m3.
Its size exceeds 100 m and also the depth exceeds 100 m – thus this sinkhole can be considered to be a true tiankeng.
Nearby are two more giant sinkholes: Kuom Tiankeng and Keek sinkhole.
References
- Papua 2017 Aouk Underground River – Acheloos Geo Exploring, Petzl. Accessed in 14 January, 2019
- Andrea Benassi e Ivan Vicenzi, Papua 2017 Aouk Underground River – Acheloos Geo Exploring, cronache ipogee. Accessed in 16 January, 2019
- Il Tiankeng dell’Aouk, Speleologia Casolana. Accessed in 16 January, 2019
- Graham Mullan, News: Exploring Large River Caves in West Papua, Darkness Below. Accessed in 16 January, 2019
Hafasu Tiankeng on the map
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| Location, GPS coordinates: | 0.9558 S 132.3303 E |
| Categories: | Sinkholes |
| Values: | Geology, Visual |
| Rating: |  |
| Where is located? | Asia, Indonesia, Western New Guinea, southern part of Tambrauw Regency, Aouk Underground River |
| Alternate name: | Hafasù Tiankeng |
| Depth: | approximately 100 m |
| Volume: | 12 – 15 million m³ |
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